Pharmacy Technician

Overview

Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe, competent, ethical care as a pharmacy technician.

Pharmacy technicians work collaboratively with pharmacists and other health care professionals, in both hospital and community pharmacy practice, to improve the health and quality of life for Nova Scotians.

Pharmacy technicians are responsible for ensuring accuracy in product preparation and release. They also teach people how to use devices such as inhalers and blood glucose monitors.

This program focuses on community, hospital and long-term care pharmacy practice. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and entry-level practice competencies defined by National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA).

Clinical placement

• This program includes mandatory clinical placements that may take place in a variety of settings.
  • Clinical placements are mandatory credit courses. They provide you with the opportunity to integrate theory with practice and understand the everyday challenges of a work environment.
  • Placement opportunities are typically unpaid.
• Transportation, living accommodations and other costs related to clinical placements are your responsibility.
• For more information visit work experience opportunities.
• International students - all international students require a co-op work permit; you can't complete your NSCC program without one. This program also requires a medical exam to receive your co-op work permit. View co-op work permit - medical exam details.

Choose NSCC

• This program has been awarded the status of Accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) for a five-year term (2024-2029). CCAPP accreditation means that graduates of this program are eligible for direct admission into the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination, which is a requirement to becoming a Registered Pharmacy Technician through the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists.
• You experience a variety of teaching methods such as discussion groups, role-playing, videos and demonstrations.
• You benefit from our faculty who bring years of experience to the classroom and have strong connections to the health care community.
• You learn in a contemporary lab space, which reflects real-world lab environments available in community, hospital and long-term care practice. The lab features a separate aseptic room with laminar flow hoods for the preparation of sterile products and offers students access to up-to-date equipment.
• You have access to the same computer programs used in pharmacies throughout the province, allowing you to become proficient in the technical and practical skills you need in the workplace.
• You gain practical experience during community and hospital pharmacy practicums.

Other info

• Students, upon enrolment, are required to register with the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists as a Pharmacy Technician Candidate.

September 2025

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Ivany Campus Dartmouth	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available

Admission requirements

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent, including:
  • Grade 12 Academic Biology, Chemistry and English
  • A minimum mark of 75% in Grade 12 Academic Math
  • International students – High school diploma equivalency and English language requirements vary by country. View document and language requirements by country
• As part of Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) accreditation standards, you must meet the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) language proficiency requirements for pharmacy technicians. As evidence of language proficiency, candidates must provide:
  • Graduation from a high school in Canada with three consecutive, first language English courses/credits; or
  • An undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, whose instruction was provided in English; or
  • Language proficiency test results that meet the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada.
• If you do not have the required academic credits, NSCC offers a variety of credit courses through the Academic and Career Connections program.

Program requirements

• A current, official criminal record check and vulnerable sector check are required to complete work placements in many programs. A conviction may impact your ability to complete program requirements.
• All programs in Health and Human Services require First Aid/CPR as a graduation requirement. For specific program requirements, view additional Health and Human Services program requirements.
• Many Health and Human Services programs have additional requirements, including immunizations. You must submit proof that you've completed these requirements by the date provided to you at the beginning of your program. View additional Health and Human Services program requirements
  • Receiving immunizations may take up to 10 months to complete.
  • Failure to complete immunizations can result in a delayed work placement, which will impact your ability to complete program and graduation requirements.
• In accordance with CCAPP accreditation standards, graduates must complete the Pharmacy Technician program within 4 years.
• Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for College services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note these pages are for planning purposes and don't represent final amounts owing.

• Pharmacy Technician - Year 1
• Pharmacy Technician - Year 2

Career options

• Graduates of this program are eligible for direct admission into the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination, which is a requirement to becoming a Registered Pharmacy Technician through the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists.
• Graduates are prepared to work in hospital, community and long-term care pharmacy environments, in accordance with the skills outlined by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authority (NAPRA) and the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association (CPTEA).

Future study options

• Continue your studies at university. This program includes courses that count towards a university degree. Learn more about having your diploma count towards a university degree

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

ANAP 1033 - Anatomy and Physiology for Pharmacy Technicians
This course covers basic anatomy and physiology of the body. For each body system, the normal structure and function of the body will be identified. The pathophysiology of the various body systems will be covered.

PHRD 1000 - Pharmacy Fundamentals
This course covers basic pharmacy information including dosage form, routes of administration, medical terminology, prescription abbreviations, drug development and good manufacturing practices.

PHRD 1002 - Community Pharmacy Theory
This course provides the learner with an understanding of the interlocking roles, duties and responsibilities of the pharmacy staff in a community pharmacy. The learner will become familiar with all aspects of the community pharmacy.

PHRD 1003 - Compounding Lab
This course provides the learner with knowledge and skills needed to compound non-sterile products. Emphasis is placed on accuracy and the preparation of a pharmaceutically elegant product.

PHRD 1004 - Pharmaceutical Calculations I
This course covers the mathematical skills necessary in the practice of pharmacy with emphasis on accuracy. The learner is taught the mathematical knowledge and skills required to prepare a prescription for both hospital and community pharmacy practice. Careful attention is placed on accuracy that is essential when measuring, weighing, and calculating quantities of ingredients required for compounding both sterile and non-sterile products and dispensing pharmaceuticals. In addition, a review of the pharmaceutical short forms and symbols, metric and imperial measures and their conversion is provided.

PHRD 1005 - Communications I for Pharmacy Technicians
This course provides students with an opportunity to evaluate and refine language and communication skills necessary for working as a pharmacy technician. Students will be introduced to a variety of interpersonal and oral presentation skills as well as specific, program-related writing assignments.

PHRD 1007 - Orientation to Pharmacy Practice
This course covers provincial and federal laws, regulations and standards of practice that govern the practice of pharmacy in Nova Scotia. Emphasis is placed on the interlocking roles of the regulated pharmacy technician and pharmacist.

PHRD 1010 - Pharmacology I
This course covers medications that are used to treat, prevent or modify diseases and conditions. Focus is on the mechanism of actions, effects, side effects and contraindications. Brand and generic names of medications are emphasized as the profession requires pharmacy technicians to identify interchangeable products.

PHRD 1012 - Community Pharmacy Lab I
This course provides students with basic concepts involved in prescription processing in a community pharmacy. Students will be provided with an opportunity to participate in simulated customer communication encountered in the workplace.

PHRD 1017 - Over-the-Counter Therapeutics
This course introduces medications and treatments that are available in a community pharmacy for patient self-selection. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural health products and other complementary treatments are covered.

PHRD 1022 - Computer Applications-Kroll
This course introduces the learner to basic prescription processing using Kroll.

PHRD 1044 - Pharmaceutical Calculations II
This course is a continuation of Pharmaceutical Calculations I. It covers the mathematical skills necessary in the practice of pharmacy with emphasis on accuracy. The learner is taught the mathematical knowledge and skills required to prepare a prescription for both hospital and community pharmacy practice. Careful attention is placed on accuracy that is essential when measuring, weighing, and calculating quantities of ingredients required for compounding both sterile and non-sterile products and dispensing pharmaceuticals. In addition, a review of the pharmaceutical short forms and symbols, metric and imperial measures and their conversion is provided.

PHRD 1050 - Community Practicum I
This four week practical experience in a community pharmacy setting provides the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills at a first year pharmacy technician student level.

PHRD 2000 - Communication and Intra/Inter-professional Practice
This course covers effective communication skills to ensure regulated pharmacy technicians are able to determine the needs of clients when providing information on medical devices. Learners will also participate in various inter-professional and intra-professional activities.

PHRD 2005 - Communications II for Pharmacy Technicians
This course further develops essential communication skills required in the Pharmacy industry. Learners will focus on applying effective interpersonal communication skills to a variety of situations that they may encounter in the workforce. Learners will also prepare workplace documentation required for employment in the pharmacy industry.

PHRD 2010 - Pharmacology II
This course covers medications that are used to treat, prevent or modify diseases and conditions. Focus is on the mechanism of actions, effects, side effects and contraindications. Brand and generic names of medications are emphasized as the profession requires pharmacy technicians to identify interchangeable products.

PHRD 2011 - Aseptic Techniques
This course provides the student with theory and practical lab application in aseptic preparation of parenteral products. Calculations required in the preparation of sterile products are covered. Emphasis is placed on accuracy of dose measurement, calculations and sterile procedure.

PHRD 2012 - Community Pharmacy Lab II
This course is a continuation of Community Pharmacy Lab I and provides the student with advanced concepts involved in prescription processing in a community pharmacy. Emphasis is placed on the scope of practice of a regulated pharmacy technician in Nova Scotia. Students will be provided with an opportunity to participate in simulated customer communication encountered in the workplace.

PHRD 2020 - Hospital Pharmacy Theory and Lab
This course introduces hospital pharmacy practices with topics such as responsibilities of the pharmacy technician, inventory control, drug distribution and record keeping. The student receives practical experience in preparation, measuring, labelling and packaging of hospital prescriptions.

PHRD 2025 - Practicum Preparation
This course provides students with an opportunity to consolidate their learning in a condensed practical setting. Students will have the opportunity to provide patient education on devices and history taking. In addition, students will prepare pharmaceutical products for both community and hospital settings. The course will run over a one week time frame prior to Community Practicum II and Hospital Practicum.

PHRD 2027 - Home Health Care
This course provides an introduction to home health care products and services available in a community pharmacy setting.

PHRD 2030 - Health Promotion and Research
This course provides students with the necessary skills to access, retrieve and apply relevant pharmacy information. Students will be provided with an intra-professional opportunity to mentor a first year pharmacy technician student. In addition, students will collaborate with a community pharmacist to provide an educational health promotion activity.

PHRD 2035 - Professional Practice
The course will provide the students with the ethical principles required for decision making in alignment with the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists Code of Ethic and federal/provincial legislation.

PHRD 2042 - Long Term Care Theory
This course introduces students to the pharmacy practice as it related to an aging population. Students will identify the structure of home care and long-term care (LTC) facilities in Nova Scotia and how pharmacists and pharmacy technicians package and dispense medications within the LTC facilities.

PHRD 2045 - Applied Calculations
This course reinforces the mathematical skills required when performing calculations in both community and hospital pharmacy settings. Students will perform calculations for sterile and non-sterile compounding and dispensing with increased independence and accuracy.

PHRD 2050 - Community Practicum II
This four week practical experience in a community pharmacy setting provides the opportunity for students to apply knowledge and skills at a pharmacy technician level.

PHRD 3050 - Hospital Practicum
This four week practical experience in a hospital pharmacy setting provides the opportunity for students to apply knowledge and skills at a pharmacy technician level.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.